Tag Archives: Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippines Holds Joint Patrols with Australia in the South China Sea

Philippines Holds Joint Patrols with Australia in the South China Sea

Officer of the watch, Lt. Vincent Bornaghi conducts an officer of the watch maneuvers exercise from the bridge wing of HMAS Toowoomba with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar as part of the regional presence deployment on Nov. 26, 2023. Royal Australian Navy Photo

The Philippines concluded a series of joint maritime and aerial patrols with Australia in the South China Sea today, and plans to hold more patrols in the future with the U.S. and other allies, according to officials. Read More

Australian Army Shifting Priorities to Amphibious, Littoral Operations

Australian Army Shifting Priorities to Amphibious, Littoral Operations

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment during a combined amphibious assault exercise on Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 in the Philippines on Aug. 25, 2023. Australian MoD Photo

The Australian Army is slated to shift its focus to the littorals after announcing last week several major changes, which include the redeploying a sizable portion of soldiers and equipment across the country and optimizing several brigades for littoral and amphibious missions. Read More

Chinese Expansion Prompts Other Navies to Work Closer Together, Modernize Fleets

Chinese Expansion Prompts Other Navies to Work Closer Together, Modernize Fleets

Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Jaybom J. Calica, commanding officer of the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) talks to crewmembers from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, the Philippine Coast Guard Vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the Japan Coast Guard Vessel Akitsushima (PLH 32) during a hotwash upon the conclusion of combined operations between the Japan, Philippine and U.S. Coast Guards in the South China Sea, June 7, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo

NEWPORT, R.I. ­­– The growing military and economic pressure from China in the Western Pacific and beyond is pushing international navies to seek new partnerships and accelerate modernization, U.S. naval leaders told USNI News at the International Seapower Symposium on Wednesday. Read More

Australian Amphib HMAS Canberra in the Philippines for Drills Amidst South China Sea Tensions

Australian Amphib HMAS Canberra in the Philippines for Drills Amidst South China Sea Tensions

Philippine Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Noel Gallaza and Commander Indo-Pacific Endeavour Air Commodore Tony McCormack speak to media on board HMAS Canberra, prior to her departure for Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Royal Australian Defence Force Photo

HMAS Canberra (L02) launched several MV-22B Ospreys in an air assault exercise off Palawan this week, commencing the first phase of the first-ever bilateral amphibious drill between the Philippines and Australia. Read More

U.S., Philippines Forces Training in Tandem As Countries' Alliance Expands

U.S., Philippines Forces Training in Tandem As Countries’ Alliance Expands

Marine Corps Sgt. Samuel Whitty, a radio operator with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, showcases 3d MLR’s communication assets to Philippine Marines with Battalion Landing Team 10 during Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Naval Base Camilo Osias, July 15, 2023. US Marin Corps Photo

U.S. forces are back in the Philippines for another round of joint exercises with their Filipino counterparts as Washington and Manilla expand cooperation. Read More

Last Cyclone Patrol Ships Leave U.S. Navy, Many Will Serve in Foreign Forces

Last Cyclone Patrol Ships Leave U.S. Navy, Many Will Serve in Foreign Forces

Cyclone-class coastal patrol ships assigned to Patrol Coastal Squadron 1 (PCRON 1) sail in formation during a divisional tactics exercise in 2014. US Navy Photo

The U.S. Navy decommissioned the last two Cyclone-class patrol ship at Naval Support Activity Bahrain last month, bringing the almost three-decade-long service of the PCs to an end. The Cyclones that have patrolled in and out of the Persian Gulf are set for foreign service. Over the last two years, the remaining PCs have been transferred via Foreign Military Sales to Bahrain, Egypt and the Philippines. Read More